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Can Westbrook make the Thunder a contender again?

Russell Westbrook, the former MVP. (Wikipedia Commons)
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30th November, 2016
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Russell Westbrook is putting together one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history.

Through 19 games – and although not yet a quarter of the way through the season – Westbrook is average a triple double with 30 points per game. His Oklahoma City Thunder team are sitting six in the tough Western Conference standings.

After losing Kevin Durant and trading Serge Ibaka at the end of last season, many experts predicted that the Thunder would struggle to make the playoffs this season.

But Westbrook is proving them all wrong as he has stepped up his game and become the sole leader of the team.

If he is able to keep performing at such a high level there is no reason why the Thunder can’t finish as high as fourth in the West, and host a playoff series in round one.

On paper they are nowhere near as strong as the Warriors, Clippers, nor Spurs, but if a few key injuries occurred at the wrong time the Thunder could find themselves with an outside chance of advancing.

Other Thunder players, including Kiwi Steven Adams, have proven their worth since the playoffs last season while new player, Victor Oladipo, continues to learn the systems set down by coach Billy Donovan.

Donovan gained enormous respect from the near-upset of the Warriors, and having lost Durant to the Warriors, is continuing to build around Westbrook’s unique skills.

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